William Campbell Preston (1794-1860)

U.S. Senator. Born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, he graduated from South Carolina College in 1812, traveled Europe for several years, studied law at the University of Edinburgh, Scotland, returned to the United States in 1819, was admitted to the bar in 1820 and practiced law in Columbia, South Carolina. He was a member South Carolina State House of Representatives, (1828-34). In 1833, he was elected as a Nullifier to the United States Senate to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Stephen D. Miller, was reelected as a Whig in 1837 and served until his resignation in 1842. He resumed the practice of law and served as president of South Carolina College (1845-51), when he resigned due to ill health. He died at age 65 in Columbia, South Carolina.

Bio by: John "J-Cat" Griffith